Peter Shor Backs Post-Quantum Encryption as Google Targets 2029 Migration
Updated
Updated · New Scientist · Jul 15
Peter Shor Backs Post-Quantum Encryption as Google Targets 2029 Migration
3 articles · Updated · New Scientist · Jul 15
Summary
Peter Shor said he is not worried that his 1994 algorithm will break modern encryption because post-quantum cryptography already offers viable defenses, though deploying them will be “incredibly hard.”
NIST has established quantum-resistant standards, but banks, hospitals and other large institutions may need years to audit networks, replace vulnerable devices and update software.
Quantum machines still cannot run Shor’s algorithm at the scale needed to crack top-tier encryption, yet Shor said rapid gains in hardware and error correction mean they will stop being “toys” soon.
Google is targeting 2029 to complete its post-quantum migration, and a Trump executive order requires high-value US government systems to do the same by 2031.
Shor said quantum computing’s most promising uses remain relatively narrow—cryptography, molecular simulation and some optimization problems—while truly transformative new algorithms have been hard to find.
Can we upgrade our digital world's defenses before quantum computers shatter them?
As nations adopt different quantum-proof standards, is a global 'cybersplinternet' inevitable?
The Quantum Deadline: Why 2030 Is the Critical Year for Global Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration
Overview
The report highlights that the threat of 'Q-Day'—when quantum computers can break current cryptography—is now imminent, urging industries to act immediately. Although cryptographically relevant quantum computers are not yet public, rapid global progress and increasing secrecy in development have raised concerns. The 'harvest now, decrypt later' risk means data encrypted today could be exposed in the future, creating severe long-term confidentiality issues. This urgency is driving governments and companies to set strict deadlines for adopting post-quantum cryptography, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to protect sensitive information before quantum breakthroughs occur.